SYLVESTER Jasper came off the bench to score a dramatic 88th-minute winner for Colchester United to secure them a 1-0 victory over high-flying Harrogate Town this afternoon.

Jasper calmly slotted a low shot past keeper Mark Oxley, after midfielder Brendan Wiredu had made a breathless run from inside his own half and picked him out.

Jasper's first-ever senior goal helped Colchester secure their first home league victory of the season and end a run of four games without a win, in League Two.

Colchester made three changes to their starting line-up for their game at Harrogate.

Noah Chilvers, Charlie Daniels and Junior Tchamadeu all came into the starting line-up, in place of Ryan Clampin, Cameron Coxe and Alan Judge.

There was little in the way of goalmouth action for either side in the first half, with opportunities at a premium for both sides in the opening 45 minutes.

Colchester will have been pleased that they had comfortably contained a Harrogate side who had scored six in their previous game.

But like their visitors, Hayden Mullins’ side offered little in the way of goal threat, before the break.

Defences were on top and the closest either team came to scoring before half-time was on the half hour mark.

Harrogate defender Will Smith's header from George Thomson’s corner flew straight at Colchester keeper Shamal George.

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The closest the U’s came to scoring before the break was when Daniels’ free-kick floated over, just before half-time.

Colchester made a bright start to the second half, going on the attack from the restart.

But much like in the opening period, neither keeper was seriously threatened until the 65th minute when the visitors came desperately close to breaking the deadlock.

Jack Diamond showed some great skill to leave Tchamadeu on the floor before picking out substitute Lloyd Kerry, whose close-range shot crashed against the underside of the crossbar and bouncing down the right side of the line for the U's, before eventually going to safety.

It was a big let-off for the U's, who had introduced Sylvester Jasper for Chilvers minutes before in a bid to make the breakthrough.

But Colchester themselves came close to scoring with 18 minutes remaining.

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Frank Nouble fired a gilt-edged chance wide with the goal gaping, after Jasper had done well to help on Freddie Sears' pass in the area.

Kerry's long-range effort flew over for the visitors but Colchester came close to scoring in the 86th minute when Jasper's fine free-kick from the edge of the area rattled the crossbar, with Harrogate keeper Mark Oxley motionless.

But they did make the breakthrough two minutes later through Jasper, much to the joy and relief of the home fans.

And the U's successfully saw the game out, to register a notable victory.

COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Tchamadeu (sub Smith, 90), Eastman, Chambers, Daniels, Skuse, Wiredu, Chilvers (sub Jasper, 63), Hannant, Sears, Nouble (sub Tovide, 83)

Subs (not used): Coxe, Kennedy, Dobra, Turner.

U’s man of the match: Cole Skuse.

Harrogate Town: Oxley, Fallowfield, Falkingham, Smith (sub Martin, 89), Burrell, Thomson (sub Kerry, 62), Pattison, Muldoon, Hall, Diamond, Armstrong (sub Orsi, 89).

Subs (not used): Cracknell, Sheron, Power.

Referee: Tom Reeves.

Bookings: Colchester: Chambers (foul, 57). Harrogate: Hall (foul, 38), Thomson (foul, 60).

Goals: Colchester: Jasper (88).

Attendance: 2,439 (93 Harrogate fans).